By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff writer

    The time for spring projects has arrived, and Columbia City is offering residents different services to help.
    Residents can receive assistance in replacing sidewalks, having limbs picked up and obtaining leaf mulch for flower and vegetable gardens.

Sidwalk enhancement
    The Sidewalk Enhancement Partnership Program will provide a 50/50 match on public sidewalks. Private sidewalks, driveway approaches and driveways are 100 percent the property owner’s responsibility.
    To participate in the program, a homeowner’s property must be tax-assessed. The entire sidewalk portion from property line to property line will be replaced. The city will not consider portions of sidewalks.
    A payment schedule will be established with the clerk-treasurer’s office, and payment for the project must be made in full by Dec. 1.
    “I am happy to announce the city has $10,000 to contribute to the citizens in replacing their sidewalks this year,” mayor Jim Fleck said. “As always, applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.”
    The deadline for applications is April 25. Applications are available in the mayor’s office in City Hall, 112 S. Chauncey St., from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    Those who need applications but cannot get to the mayor’s office during those hours may call the office at 248-5111.
Free mulch
    The annual free mulch giveaway will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at the back of Morsches Park.
    A city crew will be available to help load any truck, trailer or container.

Limb pickup
    Columbia City will pick up downed limbs Monday and Tuesday and on the following dates: May 5 and 6, June 9 and 10, July 7 and 8, Aug. 4 and 5, Sept. 8 and 9 and Oct. 6 and 7.
    Properties bordered by an alley will have their limbs picked up along that alley. Properties bordered by streets only will have their limbs picked up along the curbs, as in the past. Limbs are to be placed along the curb in front of the property.     They are not to be placed in the roadway.
    Limb pickup is inside the city limits only.
    There will be only one pass in an area. Limbs should be in place by 7 a.m. the first day of pickup.
    The city reserves the right to refuse pickup for those properties it considers not within the guidelines.
    Guidelines for acceptable materials are limbs and branches up to four inches in diameter and bushes without roots.
    Not acceptable items include brush from fence row clearing, trees and logs, branches left from contractor-provided tree removal and bushes with roots attached.
    Anyone with a question may call the street superintendent at 248-5131 or 248-5115 ext. 2721.

Spring clean-up day
    The 2008 Columbia City clean-up day will be June 14 and 21, later than usual because Serv-All, which has the contract with the city, has a limited number of trucks and can only be available those two days.
    Payment must be made in advance at the Columbia City utility office for the following items to be picked up:
    Car and small truck tires — tire only,  a $1 fee per tire, tire w/rim $4
    Larger tires — $5 fee per tire
    Tractor tires — $15
    Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, dishwashers — $5 fee each
    Refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, appliances with Freon —$10
    When advance payment is made for the above items you will be given a receipt and your name and address  will be put on a list. Keep the receipt for proof of payment. You may be asked to show this if there are any questions during pick up. There will be no refunds.
    Car batteries will be picked up at no charge, but City Hall needs to know address to be able to pick up. Call 248-5100 to be put on list.
    Paint cans opened and dried will be picked up, but containers with paint in them will be left at the curb for the property owner to dispose of.
    All trash must be placed out to the curb or alley before 6 a.m. the Saturday morning of your assigned day to assure pick up. There will be no return trips. Remember, this trash pick up is one day only in your assigned area for regular trash. Help us by following these few guidelines. Your cooperation will  make this year’s trash pick up a success.
    If you have any questions, feel free to contact Steve Brown at 248-5131 or Jeff Walker at 248-5114.